The Italian Memorandum

“How To Welcome New Members”

“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk,
that by it you may grow up to salvation”

(1 Peter 2:2,ESV)

This article will serve to remind the Cape congregation that as new members come into our fellowship, it is extremely important that every member show the love of Christ to them. Below are some updates and suggestions for each member to understand:

1. Enfolding new Christians is the responsibility of every member:
a. Never let them sit alone.
b. Introduce them to other members.
c. Phone them during the week.
d. Take them to area gospel meetings, camps, ladies’ days, etc.
e. Invite them to lunch.
f. Verbalize your appreciation.
g. Listen to them.

2. Remember the five basic needs of new Christians –
a. Help them to understand that they have been born again into a family.
b. Befriend them that they might belong.
c. Encourage them to learn the Scriptures (Bible Class).
d. They will need to find a ministry for themselves in which to contribute.
e. They will need the watchful care of other Christians (your concern).

Basic Scriptures which support the above recommendations:

1 Cor. 12:12-26; Eph. 4:15,16; Rom. 12:3-21.

The spring campaign continues. Pray for further success. And, may God bless us, as we develop ourselves, by putting others first, and realizing that church leadership awaits the next generation of the faithful to carry on the Lord’s work (1 Cor. 15:58).

-Robert M. Housby

“Thus saith the Lord”

1. The Bible is a firm, fixed point of reference. For example, in Daniel 9:2,
Daniel searchs in “the books” to determine the length of captivity before the
Jews would return to their Jerusalem homeland. Then, hundreds of years later,
the apostle Paul would encourage Timothy to remain firm to “the sacred
writings” (2 Tim. 3:14,15). Today, the Christian has access, not only to the Old
Testament treasury of sacred writings, but also to the New Testament repository
of apostolic letters and gospel accounts (1 Cor. 14:37; Lk. 1:1-4). Truly, the
Psalmist was correct in his appraisal of the Bible: “Forever, O LORD, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens” (Ps. 119:89). The Bible is a user’s manual for the
will of God via the word of God. The Bible is, therefore, the standard of
religious reference to which all men are directed (2 Tim. 2:3,4).
2. The Bible is a Witness to the Coming of the Christ. For example, in John
5:39 Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you
have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me…” Here we have an
unmistakable association of the Scriptures as a witness to Christ. The Old
Testament said that someone was coming (Matt. 21:9); the New Testament says
that he has come (Jn. 4:26); and the Epistles say that he is coming again (Heb.
9:28). To go back to the Bible is to affirm the coming of the Christ.
3. The Bible Alone Without Human Tradition is the Word of God. It has
been our experience to encounter many who attend some particular
denomination, and who also affirm that they use the Bible. Yet, after an
interview, it becomes rather evident that while these do indeed “use the
Bible,” they use it in conjunction with their church creed or denominational
catechism, or, supposed special revelation. It is therefore subject to the criticism
of Jesus as expressed in Mark 7:13 “…making void the word of God by your
tradition”.
To go back to the Bible, is to return to the Christ of the Bible; the church of the
Bible, and to accept the Bible alone as the Bible. Anything less than this is
explicitly condemned (Deut. 4:2; Gal. 1:6-8; Rev. 22;18,19).

-Robert M. Housby

[Adapted and revised by Robert M. Housby, from a July 12, 2003, America Online: e-mail, PVO KID; Entitled, Close To, Round About, Or Nearby]

One Sunday, a denominational minister gave a sermon on baptism. The sermon was obscured, however, by his attempt to avoid the actual meaning of baptism as immersion, with the substitution of sprinkling. He proceeded by talking about the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. It did not mean “in,” he protested, but rather, “close to, round about, or nearby.” Again, he continued, when the Bible speaks of Philip baptizing the Eunuch in Acts 8, it did not mean “in the water,” but rather, “close to, round about, or nearby.”
After the sermon, a man approached the speaker and declared how great the essage was, and how it had cleared up many mysteries for him. For instance, he said, the story about Jonah getting swallowed by the whale has always othered me. Now, I see that Jonah was not really in the belly of the fish, but, close to, round about, or nearby. Then, there is the story of the three Hebrew oys thrown into the fiery furnace, but were not burned. Now, I see that they ere really not in the furnace, but, close to, round about, or nearby, keeping arm. Then, there is the story of Daniel in the lion’s den. I see that he was not in” the lions’ den, but, close to, round about, or nearby, like at a zoo.
He continued with delight, these explanations have been a great comfort to me, eeing that I’m a wicked man. Now, I am grateful to know that I won’t be in hell, just close to, round about, or nearby. And, next Sunday, I won’t need to be in church, but close to, round about, or nearby. Thank you so much! You have ut my mind at ease.
The reader is urged to consult Deuteronomy 4:2 and Revelation 22:18,19, which plainly states not to add to, nor subtract from the word of God.

-Robert M. Housby

“Very few things matter and nothing matters very much.”

(F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Last Tycoon)

Sometimes we encounter those who have given up, or are considering giving up. But, from this low spiritual condition, man raises a profound question— “What matters anymore?“, or, a kindred question—“Does anything matter anymore?” In the religious reforms of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, othere is redirection from this spiritual malaise:

1. Seeking God Matters (2 Chron. 19:3).
2. Bringing People “Back to the Lord” Matters (2 Chron. 19:4).
3. The “Matters of the Lord” Matter (2 Chron. 19:11).
4. Prayer to “the Lord God” Matters (2 Chron. 20:5-12).
5. The Biblical Philosophy: “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” Matters (2 Chron. 20:12).

These reforms matter. So, when the price index of energy goes sky high, and you’re running on empty, and about to give up, give in, or go inward, hear again the reforms of 2 Chronicles 19-20. We reject the secular adage, “Very few things matter and nothing matters very much.” There is a crossroads in Palestine which once-and-for-all time answers the question, “What matters anymore?” You matter–and the cross says that you matter very much (Romans 5:6-11)..

-Robert M. Housby

“… behold, chariots of fire …”

(2 Kings 2:11)

“The chariots of God are twice ten thousand,
thousands upon thousands; the Lord is among them …”

(Psalm 68:17)

Her name is Katie Elizabeth Kirkpatrick. She was crowned as Lapeer East High School 2000-01 Homecoming Queen. She was also co-valedictorian at Lapeer. One day, in 2002, she was informed that she had a brain tumor. It would return in the form of a lung cancer the very next year. On Saturday January 15, 2005, Katie appeared in a sparkling gown of crystals, and walked without the tank of oxygen down the aisle on her father’s arm before 500 wedding guests! Then, five days later, after marrying her high school sweetheart, 21 year old Katie Kirkpatrick Godwin went home to be with her Lord.

Most of Rochester College attended her funeral. The ceremony began with a photo collage and a strand from Sarah McLachlan’s, “I Will Remember You.” Her favorite worship songs were also included: “I Stand in Awe,” and “The Joy of the Lord.” Then, in an excerpt from Katie’s valedictorian address, the minister read: “It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble, how hopeless the outlook or how great the mistake, a sufficient realization of love will not redeem.” Tears fell that day, as the audience of some 1200 heard: “In the ears of my heart, I think I can hear the trumpets sounding for our girl, Katie.” [Thank you, Lord, for Katie: a faithful member of your church].
Yes, “The chariots of God are twice ten thousand…” (Ps. 68:17). God’s power
is depicted in terms of endless vehicles of His glory in history. Habakkuk 3:8
even speaks of a “…chariot of salvation” (see 3:13). To be involved in this
kind of drama for God, with God, and unto God, is only possible today. For, His
chariots are in motion, and He is among them.

-Robert M. Housby

“And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and purple and scarlet yarns, and of fine twined linen, skillfully worked.”

(Exodus 28:6)

The Old Testament priest wore a sacred vestment called an ephod. This ephod was very colorful (Exodus 28:6). The colors which God here specified, are colors well known to artists as the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue). The Bible tells us why these colors were used: “And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty” (Exodus 28:2,40). Three reasons are suggested: sacredness, dignity, and the unmistakable importance of the priestly service of worship. Exodus 28:31 infers that the robe of the ephod was “all of blue,” perhaps suggesting it as the dominant color. We may also note that these colors are the colors of the fourth day of creation (Genesis 1:14- 17), namely, the blue heavens and the golden sun. The tabernacle, itself, was comprised of these same colors (Exodus 35-36), and, notably, so also was “the veil” (Exodus 36:35-38; see also Hebrews 6:19; 9:3; 10:20; 4:14).
Today, all believers who are “in Christ” (Eph. 1:3, 10, 11,12,13), through baptism (Acts 19:5), are also priests under the New Testament (Rev. 1:6). As such, they “worship by the Spirit of God” (Philippians 3:3; Jude 20), in the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19,20). Their worship and service to God are, therefore, of the highest dignity, sacredness, and importance; no less than the sons of Aaron (1 Peter 2:9).
When Christians worship today, it is worship of great importance (John 4:23,24). It is worship offered in the blue ephod. Make God primary in your life today.

– Robert M. Housby

(Why Christians May Live in Joy)

“To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”

(Isaiah 61:3, NKJV, emphasis mine, RMH)

When the old Jerusalem gospel was preached on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the promises of the Old Testament were opened up for all men (Acts 2:39; 3:24).
Included in this theology of promise were the words of the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 61:3 (quoted above).
The statement of Isaiah 61:3 declares that there would be consolation for those who mourn. This consolation would come in the form of something given, as bestowed by God himself, through Jesus Christ (Isaiah 61:1; Lk. 4:16-21; 7:22).

1. Beauty for ashes – The downtrodden would be the recipients of this lovely expression of promise, “beauty for ashes.” This play on words reminds one of man’s lowly origin, from ordinary chemical composition, and his/her often mournful emotional state (Gen. 18:27; 2 Sam. 13:19; Job 2:8; Jer. 6:26). The replacement here is that of God’s dignity for man’s indignity. A head-turban may well be meant in the text.
2. The oil of joy for mourning – Olive oil had cosmetic and curative properties (Ps. 23:5; 104:15). Oil is used also as a symbol for the Holy Spirit (see Exodus 30:22-38; Ps. 18:28; etc.).
3. The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness – The New English Bible reads, “a garment of splendor for the heavy heart.”

When everything seems to be going wrong–Enter, Beauty for ashes; oil of joy;
garment of praise! Put on the promised turban today for your tomorrow.

-Robert M. Housby

“And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave,
shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them”

(Mark 6:11)

The word “dust” occurs seven times in the New Testament (Strong’s 286). Most of these uses are about moving on after attempting to communicate the gospel where it was not welcomed. For example, in Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas were harshly treated in Antioch in Pisidia. They actually drove them out of the city (13:50). It was at this point that they [Paul and Barnabas] actually carried out the Lord’s directive to “shake off the dust…as a testimony against them.” Acts 13:51 records: “But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.” Notice in the next verse, Acts 13:52, that “the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
Active Christians know what it is like to invest in people, only to have those same individuals show ingratitude or simply not respond to the gospel. It is important, therefore, that Christians understand that those who reject them are actually rejecting the Lord (see Ex. 16:8; 1 Sam. 8:7; Lk. 10:16; Jn. 12:48). We mustn’t stop investing in people; believing in the best, while being prepared for the worst. We might recommend that every Christian take to heart the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the
Lord your labor is not in vain.”
The Bible plainly teaches that not all will be interested in the gospel; and even those who are curious may never become committed (Matthew 7:14,21). So, remember to dust off, look up, and move on. The Lord is with you (Matthew 28:20).

-Robert M. Housby

(Reminiscences of the Gospel in the English Alphabet)

A – Abba: the intensive form of Father (Gal. 4:6).
B – Balm: of Gilead; Christian healing (Jer. 8:22; 1 Pet. 2:24).
C – Calvary: Latin for kranion; place of the skull, Golgatha (Matt. 27:33; Jn. 19:17).
D – David: the royal model of the Messiah (Acts 2:29-31).
E – Evangelism: the world class message and spread of the gospel (Lk. 24:47).
F – Faith: drawing near to God; access (Heb. 11:6).
G –Galilee: the great Galilean ministry set among the beauty of Palestine (Mk. 1:37-39).
H – Heaven: heaven came down; incarnation (Col. 1:5).
I – Immanuel: with us is God (Matt. 1:23).
J – Jerusalem: a city with fascination like none other (Lk. 2:43; Matt. 23:37).
K – Kingdom: Jesus preached it and died with it above his dying head (Lk. 23:38).
L – Lamb: An innocent and winsome lamb; a sacrifice to God for man (Acts 8:32-35).
M –Miracles: the gospel is a confirmed message (Heb. 2:3,4).
N – Nazareth: the boyhood home and early years of Jesus (Lk. 2:51,52).
O – Omega: the ultimate reality that Jesus is Lord of the universe (Rev. 1:8).
P – Palms: laid before the young prince on his journey; Hosanna (Matt. 21:8,9).
Q – Quotations: about 250 O.T. quotes in N.T. ; Jesus came to fulfill (Lk. 24:44-46).
R – Resurrection: there is power and newness for today and tomorrow (Rom. 1:4; 6:4).
S – Salt: reminding us that all Christians are responsible on earth (Matt. 5:13).
T – Transformation: the renewal of the Christian mind; life changing joy (Rom. 12:2).
U –Upper room: a reminder that there is a time to wait on the Lord (Acts 1:13).
V – Verse: Jesus was versed in the scriptures (Matt. 4:4,6,7,10; 19:4).
W -Wages: a man cannot live on the wages of sin (Rom. 3:23; 6:23).
X – Unknown: to many the Savior is yet unknown (Acts 17:23).
Y – Yesterday: Christ is timeless and yet timely (Heb. 13:8).
Z – Zechariah: the Lord remembers (Phil. 4:3).
When we think of the gospel, our minds are carried far away to a distant land; and yet, “…he is not far from each one of us…” (Acts 17:27). Make the gospel our immediate spiritual oasis today.

-Robert M. Housby

The content for this article was presented in sermon format by Robert M. Housby
on January 30, 2005 at the Cape Girardeau, Missouri Church of Christ.

“…and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever”

(Psalm 23:6)

The prophet Isaiah said, “It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established… and all nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:2). This section of scripture speaks of “the house of the LORD.” Some definite points may be taken from this passage:

(1) The “house of the LORD” shall be established in the latter days.
(2) All nations shall flow to it (excitement and motivation).
(3) This house is identified with the will of God and the word of God.

Furthermore, in the book of Isaiah, “the house of the Lord” occupies a triple function:

1. A House (Beth) of Teaching (Isa. 2:2,3)
2. A House (Beth) of Assembly (Isa. 2:2,3)
3. A House (Beth) of Prayer (Isa. 56:7)

We know, today, that “the house of God” is the Lord’s church (1 Timothy 3:16). We are also aware that the church meets regularly; teaches consistently, and prays effectually. Yes, it all happens in the church!

– Robert M. Housby